New York Court Rules there is no “Right-to-Die”

(Charlotte Lozier Institute) – This September, a New York State court unanimously decided on an assisted suicide case and upheld state prohibitions on the practice of physician assisted suicide. The plaintiffs in Myers v Schneiderman consisted of patients with terminal diagnoses who, along with euthanasia-rights advocates, sought the establishment of a “right-to-die” with a physician’s aid by challenging the state’s penal code on manslaughter in the courts.

Notably, ten disability rights organizations led by Not Dead Yet filed an amicus brief in support of the state’s attorney general. Despite strong efforts, the case failed to establish a “right-to-die” under state law and physician assisted suicide remains illegal. The threat to human life, presented by legalization of assisted suicide and euthanasia, will not reach New York in the immediate future. While this case can be considered a victory for human dignity, threats persist and remain present even in this case buried just beneath the surface.

The definition of manslaughter under New York state law proved central to the case as the plaintiffs sought the establishment of a “right-to-die” with physician assisted suicide and the legalization of such a practice. CONTINUE